Kathleen Prior
ACTION CONTRE LA FAIM HELPS 24.5 MILLION PEOPLE ACROSS THE WORLD BY DIRECTLY ATTACKING THE STRUCTURAL CAUSES AND CONSEQUENCES OF HUNGER.
What we do is made possible by support from our generous donors, who choose to make gifts to us or start up a philanthropy project. Your actions make a huge difference to us, which is why the Gifts and Philanthropy team is here to assist you every step of the way. From the initial intention to bringing your plans to life, they will be available to answer your questions, give you advice and guide you through the whole administrative process. To give is to create opportunities, both for those who receive and the givers themselves.
A BENEFACTOR’S STORY
Paule, donor since 2011
‘I had been retired for around twenty years, and I would sometimes wonder what would become of all the furniture and other objects in my life and the life insurance policy I had taken out. I had ended up without any family and there was no one to inherit them, but I didn’t want these things to go to the State. So, on my own, what could I do? A friend of mine donated regularly to Action contre la Faim and told me about it, and it all became clear to me very quickly. That’s what I wanted to do: fight against hunger and especially against water shortages, which is even more awful in my eyes. Now, I have left all my assets to Action contre la Faim in my will. This way, I can contribute a brick towards building a better world and passing on a legacy of peace and hope.’
HOW DO I MAKE A GIFT TO A GENERAL INTEREST ASSOCIATION?
In France, making a gift to a charity is a process that takes place before a notary and involves donating an asset to your chosen beneficiary. This gift is effective immediately, as soon as the papers are signed in front of the notary, and is irrevocable. It is subject to the same forced heirship rules as legacies: the amount of your gift must not reduce the share of your estate to be received by any forced heirs. However, the forced heirs may choose to waive their right to the share of your estate to which they are legally entitled.
WHAT TYPES OF GIFTS ARE THERE?
OUTRIGHT GIFT (‘DONATION EN PLEINE PROPRIÉTÉ’)
A gift is a simple way of transferring part of your assets to Action contre la Faim during your lifetime. In France, this procedure must be carried out before a notary, is irrevocable and comes with tax benefits. As a public utility association, Action contre la Faim is exempt from succession and gift duties. There are several types of gifts:
An outright gift consists of an immediate transfer of an asset (a painting, an antique car, or any other kind of asset) to a beneficiary.
TEMPORARY USUFRUCT GIFT (‘DONATION TEMPORAIRE D’USUFRUIT’)
With a temporary usufruct gift, the beneficiary is granted usufruct over an asset for a set period of time (3–10 years). The advantage for you, the owner, is that the asset is temporarily removed from your estate, so you can benefit from considerable tax relief. If the asset is a property, it is eliminated from your tax base.
Our advice: As in the case of any contract, for the gift to be valid, the giver and the recipient must both have full legal capacity. In addition, the procedure must take place before a notary. However, the notary procedure is optional for ‘hand-to-hand donations’ (dons manuels), where the asset is simply passed on by the giver with no formalities.
BARE OWNERSHIP GIFT (‘DONATION EN NUE-PROPRIÉTÉ’)
With the bare ownership option, you can transfer ownership of an asset while continuing to use it or allowing a third party to use it. This type of gift comes with tax benefits, including no longer being subject to property tax, as you become a usufructuary, rather than an owner. The bare owner cannot use the property and will not be the full owner until the usufruct is over.
If you would like more information on these different types of gift, including their characteristics and legal terms and conditions, don’t hesitate to get in touch with us.
A DEDICATED TEAM TO BRING YOUR GENEROSITY PROJECT TO LIFE
‘Starting up a generosity project to benefit Action contre la Faim is not a trivial matter. This gesture reflects your humanistic values and is a wonderful embodiment of your feeling of solidarity with the most vulnerable among us. This support – which brings with it hope, peace and exchange, now and tomorrow – will help us to save lives for years to come. My team and I will pay careful attention to your story and your personal wishes. We will always be there to listen to you and answer your queries. Respect for people and their belongings is at the heart of our priorities, and we are passionate about accompanying you in your gift or legacy plans.’
Leila Bahloul, Head of Gifts and Philanthropy
Your questions, our answers
Donation
Legacy
For more information, visit our bequest page.
Life insurance
Visit our dedicated life insurance page for more information.
NOTARY SPACE
L’équipe dédiée aux libéralités et à la philanthropie d’Action contre la Faim entretient un lien constant avec les notaires en charge du règlement des successions. Elle les épaule lors de la procédure de règlement du dossier :
La notification du décès et l’ouverture de la succession engage Action contre la Faim à transmettre rapidement divers documents administratifs au notaire mandaté, après réception de l’acte de décès du testateur et d’une copie de son testament.
La présentation du dossier de succession au Conseil d’Administration (CA) pour délibération est effectuée après évaluation du montant net du legs du défunt. Les délibérations sont ensuite transmises au notaire dans les meilleurs délais.
La liquidation des biens varie selon leur type. Une étroite collaboration avec le notaire est établie pour la procédure de vente des biens immobiliers, après avoir été estimés. Les biens mobiliers font l’objet d’un inventaire en présence du notaire et d’un commissaire-priseur, pour ensuite être vendus aux enchères.
La clôture et la gestion comptable du dossier prévoient la mention des modes de liquidation des actifs du testateur dans le procès-verbal rendu par le CA. L’association reçoit un relevé de compte présentant les mouvements bancaires réalisés sur le compte de la succession, ainsi qu’une copie de l’ensemble des actes régularisés. Le solde dudit relevé doit être équivalent à 0€.
